The Commission on Higher Education Regional Office I (CHED RO1) marked a significant milestone in strengthening its workforce by welcoming a new roster of permanent and Contract of Service (COS) personnel and recognizing UNIFAST personnel career advancements during the first half of 2026 through July.

β—‡New Permanent Appointees

As part of its continuing efforts to enhance administrative efficiency and academic supervision, CHED RO1 officially welcomed two new permanent personnel:

1. Mr. Gio Albert A. Cruz – Education Supervisor II, who will serve as the focal supervisor for Business-related Education. Mr. Cruz will oversee program compliance, curriculum quality, and academic evaluation of business education programs offered by higher education institutions (HEIs) across Region I.

2. Mr. Aaron Francis C. Gualberto – Accountant II, who will strengthen the regional office’s financial management, accounting operations, and internal control systems.

β—‡UniFAST Regional Personnel Earn Career Advancements

Recognizing their exemplary public service, dedication, and technical competence, four personnel from the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) Regional Unit received career advancements:

1. Ms. Kelcy C. Tumabcao – moved to Project Technical Staff III

2. Mr. Woodrow Gherdo Mari S.D. Cacanindin – moved to Project Technical Staff II

3. Ms. Debbie R. OrduΓ±a – moved to Project Technical Staff I

4. Mr. Denver B. Umbay – moved to Project Support Staff

These advancements reflect CHED RO1’s commitment to recognizing excellence and empowering personnel who contribute significantly to the successful implementation of student financial assistance programs.

β—‡New Contract of Service (COS) Personnel

To further strengthen program implementation and support expanding regional initiatives, CHED RO1 also welcomed five new Contract of Service personnel:

1. Ms. Chloe Mari A. Hufana – Project Technical Staff III, Internationalization (IZN) Unit

2. Mr. Jonathan David R. Samaranayake – Project Technical Staff I, Medical Scholarship and Return Service (MSRS) Program

3. Ms. Dione A. Javar – Project Technical Staff I, UniFAST

4. Mr. Den Mark G. Manaois – Project Technical Staff I, Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program

5. Mr. Lei Anthony N. Bayan – Administrative Support Staff, Administrative Division

The onboarding of new personnel and the recognition of internal career advancements underscore CHED RO1’s continued investment in building a highly competent, responsive, and service-oriented workforce. These strategic personnel movements enhance the regional office’s capacity to implement student financial assistance programs, administer scholarship initiatives, advance internationalization efforts, ensure sound financial management, and strengthen academic quality assurance across higher education institutions in Region I.

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